Who is obliged to deliver the gas meter for verification?
In accordance with PR 50.2.006–94 “Procedure for verification of measuring instruments” (approved by order of the State Standard of the Russian Federation dated July 18, 1994 N125 with amendments dated November 26, 2001, registered by the Ministry of Justice of Russia on July 21, 1994 No. 640) the obligation Timely submission of measuring instruments for verification, including ensuring their delivery, rests with the owners of measuring instruments (clause 3.1., 3.16. of the Procedure).
Clause 21 of the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 21, 2008 No. 549, also indicates that the subscriber is obliged to ensure that a gas meter is provided in a timely manner for verification (clause 21 “c " Rules).
The essence of the procedure
Checking the gas meter is a study of the accuracy of the working mechanism. Based on the diagnostic results, it is determined whether the device can be used further.
Metrological diagnostics of meters is carried out in Gosstandart authorities or at home, if the company that will carry out the procedure has mobile equipment. The procedure is performed by professionals, so the risk of harm to the device is zero.
In accordance with the Federal Law “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements” No. 102 FZ of June 26, 2008, all gas meters must be checked for the correctness of calculations before commissioning.
In 2021, due to the coronavirus epidemic, verification of any meters (gas, water, electricity, heat) was cancelled. The rules were in effect from April 2021 until January 1, 2021. In 2021, verification of metering devices became mandatory again, and the moratorium ended.
Where is the gas meter calibration interval indicated?
The calibration interval of the meter is indicated in its technical data sheet. The suitability of the gas meter for use is confirmed by the imprint of the stamp, the signature of the verifier and the date of its verification in the device passport or a standard certificate.
Also, the device passport indicates the inter-verification interval (ICI), i.e. the period of time, starting from the date of verification, during which this device is suitable for use. At the end of the specified interval, the meter must be subjected to another verification.
A gas meter, after several years of operation, may make errors and incorrectly take into account the volume of gas consumed by the subscriber, both down and up.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video below shows how you can check a household gas meter not at home, but near the house:
Checking a gas meter without removing it at home is a fairly simple procedure, but its implementation requires high-tech equipment, as well as qualified personnel. To carry out such an operation, you need to contact a specialized company.
Please write comments in the block below. Tell us about how you checked the gas meter without dismantling it and transporting it to the service that supervises the device. Ask questions and leave photos related to the topic of the article.
Meters that have not passed verification cannot be used
According to clause 25 of the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 21, 2008 No. 549, the volume of gas consumed is determined according to the readings of the gas meter, subject to the obligatory observance of the condition: the deadline for the next verification has not arrived, determined taking into account the frequency of its implementation, established by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology for each type of gas metering devices approved for use on the territory of the Russian Federation.
How many years from the date of installation of the device is this done in a private house and apartment?
The frequency of checking the gas meter is regulated by the manufacturer and is indicated in the technical passport. The installation location of the device (private house or apartment) does not affect the calibration interval.
Of course, the influence of external factors to which metering devices installed on the street are exposed shortens their service life. The owner of a private house does not need to wait for the next verification.
If there is a suspicion that the meter is not working properly, you must contact the gas service to conduct an extraordinary inspection.
How is gas consumption calculated when the meter is removed for verification?
The volume of gas consumed for the period from the day the gas meter is dismantled to send it for verification or repair and until the day following the day the seal is installed at the place where the gas meter is connected to the gas pipeline after verification or repair, but not more than 3 months in a row , is determined based on the volume of average monthly gas consumption by the consumer, determined by the gas meter for a period of at least one year, and if the period of operation of the gas meter was less than one year - for the actual period of operation of the gas meter.
After the specified 3-month period, the volume of gas consumed for each subsequent month up to the day following the day of installation of the seal at the place where the gas meter is connected to the gas pipeline after verification or repair is determined in accordance with gas consumption standards.
What documents will you be given and what should you do with them?
When verification is completed, the subscriber will be given the following package of documents:
- Certificate of work performed with a full transcript, signature and seal;
- Gas meter maintenance agreement;
- Certificate of verification (this form is issued if during the diagnostics the identified error does not exceed the normal limits). From September 2021, all verification data is entered into the Arshin register (read the details at the link).
The technician also enters the date of the test into the technical passport of the device. Information on the new gas meter must be submitted to the EIRC.
What happens to the gas meter after it is verified?
The result of verification is confirmation of the suitability of the measuring instrument for use or recognition of the measuring instrument as unsuitable for use.
If a measuring instrument is found suitable for use based on verification results, this is confirmed by the imprint of the mark and the signature of the verifier in the instrument passport or in the “Certificate of Verification”. If the next verification date is not specified, then the meter can be used during the specified verification interval.
If a measuring instrument is found unsuitable for use, a “Notice of Unsuitability” is issued and this metering device is not allowed to be used.
When is an unscheduled inspection carried out?
An unscheduled inspection is carried out in the following cases:
- the integrity of the verification mark or seals is broken;
A brand or seal is considered broken when the information printed on it cannot be read or if it no longer interferes with access to the device’s correction mechanisms.
- the device has mechanical damage;
- depreservation - when the device is idle for more than one calibration interval;
- there are suspicions of unreliable information.
Instructions for the safe use of gas at home from the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation
Who pays for sealing the gas meter after it has been verified?
The initial installation of the seal is carried out at the expense of the gas supplier, subsequent ones (including when restoring the gas meter after verification or repair) are paid by the subscriber, according to the price list.
Based on the result of sealing the metering device, a representative of the gas supplier draws up a sealing report indicating the date of sealing, the readings of the metering device at the time of sealing. This Act is drawn up in 2 copies, each of which is signed by the subscriber and a representative of the gas supplier. One copy is issued to the subscriber, the second is returned to the subscriber department of the gas supply organization.
From the date specified in the Act, the gas payment amount is calculated based on the readings of the gas consumption meter.
Who checks the meter
Gas meters are checked by gas suppliers. They are carried out according to the rules that are approved by RF PP N 549. The check is carried out:
- at least once a year
- or upon the first application of the owner of the PU.
The inspection must be previously agreed upon with the owner of the control unit - notified by any means seven days before the appointed day of diagnosis. It is important to make sure that the owner of the PU has received the notification.
Employees may participate in the inspection
- GZHI,
- a specialized company that has an agreement with the owner of the meter for the maintenance of in-house or in-apartment gas equipment.
The specialist who conducts the inspection must show the owner of the PU a certificate. No ID – no verification. In addition to the ID, the inspector must be ready to present his passport upon request.
The inspector draws up an act in which he indicates:
- when and where the inspection was carried out,
- whose PU was checked,
- who was present during the inspection,
- passport details of all those present,
- meters data,
- technical condition of the seals,
- violations indicating a specific clause of the contract,
- no violations.
The act must be drawn up in two copies, for each of the parties to the agreement. The act is signed by everyone who was present during the inspection of the PU. If the subscriber refuses to sign the act, a note is made about this and the reasons for the refusal are indicated.
If required, the subscriber expresses the results of the inspection in writing and attaches his objections to the report. A note about this is also made in the act. If the subscriber does not want to accept the act, the gas supplier sends it by mail with acknowledgment of receipt and a description of the contents.
Only if all of the above conditions are met, the inspection is considered legal.
Read about the liability for violating gas safety requirements
If the verification is overdue
According to the current RF Regulation No. 354, if the verification interval has expired, the device is considered out of order. The readings will no longer be the basis on which payment is calculated.
- The first three months are calculated based on monthly averages for the previous six months.
- Further accrual occurs according to the standard with an additional coefficient. No fines are collected.
- If the owner does not take steps to verify or replace the expired IPU, the gas supply organization may decide to install a new meter. Starting in 2021, companies are allowed to compulsorily install flow meters. A failed device will no longer be part of the resource consumption accounting system.
Checking a gas flow meter is a complex procedure if it involves dismantling, because the work cannot be done with your own hands.
Source
Is it possible to change the meter yourself?
Such manipulations are characterized by a high degree of danger, so people with experience should get down to business; it is equally important to have access to such processes; permission from government authorities requires the presence of special equipment for the safe replacement of a gas meter.
Often, such documents confirm that a person belongs to the staff of specialists officially dealing with such issues. Without experience and a license, it is prohibited to carry out work, otherwise penalties will be imposed for replacing it yourself.
It is better to give preference to specialized organizations; they can be attracted directly by the resource supplier.
How much does it cost to replace a gas meter?
In a private house, the replacement of a gas measuring device is clearly carried out at the expense of the owner of the property, be it an individual or a legal entity.
As for the apartment, it all depends on the status of the living space. If the apartment is privatized, then the owner pays for the replacement of the gas consumption meter.
If the apartment is municipal and provided to the tenant on the basis of a social tenancy agreement, then reinstallation of the gas meter is carried out free of charge, at the expense of the state.
In addition, the legislation provides this service free of charge to a number of categories of citizens, namely:
- large families;
- WWII veterans;
- low-income citizens of retirement age.
Thus, the owner of an apartment or house will have to pay:
- purchasing a gas meter;
- services of specialists in dismantling the gas meter and installing a jumper pipe;
- services for verification, repair and replacement of the meter.
The total cost of installing a meter depends on:
- meter models;
- type and complexity of work;
- device installation location;
- tariffs of the company providing meter replacement services;
- region of residence;
- number of gas consumption points.
On average, the price for the service will be from 3 to 7 thousand rubles.
